Capri and Saxon Warrior could clash in the Irish Champion Stakes

My old mucker Matty was asking only the other day what had happened to Capri bearing in mind how strong last years St Leger form is looking. Well according to reports Capri is set to tackle the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes in September before a possible second attempt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October. Last year’s St Leger hero made a winning start to the season when winning the Alleged Stakes at Naas in April, but then suffered a shoulder injury and has not run since.

Aidan O’Brien is now looking at the 10-furlong Irish Champion Stakes on 15th September with a trip to Longchamp for the autumn showpiece an option despite the fact Capri beat only one horse home in the Arc last year. The trainer said this week “Capri is on the way back but won’t be there until the autumn. He’ll have a run or two before Leopardstown, I’d imagine, with the Arc in mind.”

Stable mate Saxon Warrior could line-up against him in the Irish Champion Stakes as the Ballydoyle team seem set on dropping their Guineas winner down in trip a little after he finished third in Saturday’s Irish Derby at the Curragh; finished fourth in the Derby at Epsom. O’Brien added: “He’s good, not a bother on him. He’ll have a little rest now and he’ll come back and be trained for the mile and a quarter races at York (Juddmonte International) and Leopardstown. That’s the plan.”